Cyclists from across Victoria will contest the challenging 104km race which will start at 10.30am at the Stratford Tennis Club.

The resealing of the connection between Beverley's and Dargo Rds has provided the club with a race circuit which will be among the toughest climbs in Victoria.

With the finish line just short of Grants Junction, the final climb will be a true test of riders' climbing ability, providing an average gradient of 8.3 per cent over 10km. Many riders are expected to use the race in their lead up to the Tour of Bright in early December.

Gippsland riders will feature strongly in this race. Nick Aitken from Leongatha, who recently finished in the top 10 of the Herald Sun Tour, will be favourite and Chris D'Amelio from the Bairnsdale Riviera club will be a threat after a year of racing in Belgium.

Wellington riders will mainly feature in the masters races. Mike Baker, Ben Dowsett, Phil Brown, Gary Lucas, Alec Mates and Norm Gray will all feature strongly in their events.

As part of an ambitious weekends program for the recently formed club, criterium racing will take place on Sunday morning from 9am in Johnson St, Maffra.

This fast paced style of racing has proven very popular with large crowds attending during Maffra Mardi Gras festivities in recent years.

This race will give some Wellington riders who will assist on Saturday a chance to show their form, these include Judith Cahill, Shane Dove and Mick O'Connor, who along with some who raced Saturday, should finish on the podium.

WELLINGTON Cycling Club joined the Riviera Cycling Club on October 25 for a 51km road race from Stratford to Lindenow.

A grade was taken out by Mick O'Connor in a sprint finish from Mike Renehan in second and Warren Meade third. Martin Blennerhasset rode strongly in C grade to take a convincing win over Adam Lancaster and Russell Needham.

For more information about the Wellington Cycling Club, visit wellingtoncyclingclub.org.au or phone club president Shane Dove on 0407 446 700.